PGA Professional - Who We Are

Donal McSweeney: Head PGA Professional

“I believe that in order for students to change their bad habits, they must first understand why they are making a correction and what the correction will do”

Donal turned Professional in 1996 following a successful amateur career which included several years in London playing high level amateur golf including winning the British University Championship. He spent three years studying a HND in Golf Studies at Kingston University, which included playing, teaching and club fitting.

Donal is an expert in the use of Trackman 4, Flightscope and V1 video analysis technology and is currently working with golfers at all levels of the game including professionals, Nationally ranked players, Provincial players, and has coached and club fitted the Munster Ladies and Girls teams from 2002 to 2007. He is also the Limerick County Coach for the Golfing Union of Ireland.

In 2013 he was involved in the opening of Ballyneety Golf Club and Driving Range where he is now based.

In 2012 Donal was appointed the PGA Professional for Lahinch Golf Club.

Paddy Sheehy: Teaching Professional

Paddy enjoyed a successful amateur career, representing both Munster and Ireland at Boys and Youths level. Before joining the PGA, Paddy attended Limerick Institute of Technology where he successfully obtained a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Civil Engineering Management. In 2011, Paddy decided to follow his dream and joined the PGA while playing off a handicap of Plus 1.

After successfully completing the Foundation Degree in Professional Golf Studies at the University of Birmingham in 2015, through the PGA, Paddy has worked in Golf Coaching, Club Fitting and Golf Retail. Paddy is also a keen student of the golf swing and constantly keeps up-to-date with any new developments within the game. He regularly attends CPD Programmes to update his knowledge on the game and believes that “correcting golfers’ basic fundamentals is the key to success and consistency”.

Walter Doyle: Operations Manager

Walter began playing golf aged 21 in Thurles Golf Club and represented the club in the Munster Final of the Barton Shield (2007/2009) and the Senior Cup (2008).

Walter went on to join the Professional Golfers Association in 2011 while playing off a scratch handicap. He trained in Cahir Park Golf Club under David Ryan. Walter holds a number of academic professional qualifications from Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT). These include a National Diploma in Business Studies in Recreation and Leisure; a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation and Leisure Management and a Master of Arts in Sports Studies (Research). Walter is an avid sports enthusiast especially GAA, golf, kayaking, running and swimming.

Robert Kelly: PGA Professional

Robert began his golf career as an assistant under John Dignam at Slade Valley from 1994 to 1998 and then as a full time teaching professional at Red Lane Golf Centre in Kildare until 2001. Robert progressed his career as Head PGA Professional in Nenagh Golf Club from 2001 to 2007 and then furthering his career in Tipperary Golf Club from 2007 to 2014. In 2014 Robert joined the teaching staff in Ballyneety Driving Range.

Robert has gained a wealth of teaching experience through his years as a pro and has a great understanding of all aspects of the game. He pays particular attention to the feedback and individual needs and goals of his students. Robert's teaching can be best described as relaxed and enjoyable experience with plenty of social interactions with his pupils. Robert is also an outstanding exponent of club repairs which he also enjoys in his role in Ballyneety Driving Range.